Windows 10: Win 10 Automatically connecting to unsecured WiFi

Hello,


I have taken my Surface Pro (2017) into work recently, and it has a habit of connecting to any unsecured connection in range. I have never connected to these signals on this device, and I don't have any plans to connect to these unsecured WiFi connections. However, it will always connect when not connected to another WiFi, and I have to manually disconnect from any of them to connect to my personal Hotspot on my phone. I have confirmed that the "connect automatically" option is not selected on these unsecured networks. They do not show in my list of known networks.


I have done some looking on Google for any help, but all I find are outdated pages, or its calling for an option that doesn't exist in my settings, such as WiFi Sense.


The only thing that I have found that works is to block the network from showing in my WiFi list via a Command Prompt line of code that I found here. I don't want to have to do this for every single WiFi connection that my device is trying to connect to.


Any assistance to disable this "feature" would be greatly appreciated.

:)

 

Is it illegal to connect to an unsecured network?

the legality of using any unsecured wireless network is very uncertain at the moment.

In Germany it is now illegal to have an unsecured wifi network (yes that right - if i was to connect to an unsecure network and download movies/music etc....the owner of the wifi is responsible even if there is outright proof that he did not perform the download)


Quote from BBC news:

German citizens are responsible for the security of their own private wireless connections, a court has ruled.

The ruling comes after a musician sued the owner of a network connection that had been used to illegally download and file-share music.

The owner had proof that the householder was on holiday at the time but the court ruled that the network should have been password-protected.

In the UK, the law currently states that it is not illegal to connect to an unsecured wireless LAN, however it is illegal to use someone elses bandwidth or services without their consent. (as a side note for anyone who runs an ftp service or allows inbound connections, ALWAYS put a login banner stating that access is only for authorised users, this is legally binding and can help during disputes) /Quote

 

Windows 10: Disable automatic connection of a wireless network

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in replying.

If you have not tried this then you may follow these steps to test if that helps:

• 
  Open "Network and Sharing Center".
  
• 
  On the left pane, click on the option "Manage wireless networks”.
  
• 
  Look for those networks where the Security is "Unsecured." Right-click on an unsecured network, then click on "Properties”.
  
• 
  Make sure that the box next to "Connect automatically when this network is in range," is not checked. Then click on "OK" to save your settings. Repeat the steps to uncheck the box for any other unsecured networks on the list.
  

Keep us informed to help you further.

 

I can't connect to Unsecured network


When I go to coffee house and look at available networks, the unsecured network of coffee house shows up with a shield symbol. I can't connect to this network.
I have been using this network for 2 years and suddenly it appeared with this symbol.
Everyone else can connect to this network
I can connect to secured network in my home
It seems something in my laptop configuration has changed. I cant figure out whats that.
I am attaching image of unsecured network as below. Its "Hidden Network" displaying at bottom as open with shield symbol



Please suggest, what does this symbol mean and how can I connect to unsecured network.

Thanks